A former Tasmanian Labor Senator fronted court on Monday, charged with illegally possessing and selling abalone.

Shayne Michael Murphy faces one count of unlawfully possessing more than 20 abalone, one count of selling unlawfully possessed fish, one count of possessing abalone for commercial purposes without a licence and one count of trafficking in fish.

Appearing in the Launceston Magistrates Court before Magistrate Sharon Cure, Mr Murphy did not enter a plea.

Mr Murphy’s wife, Katy Liu, was also due to appear on joint charges.

She has been charged with one count of unlawfully possess more than five abalone and one count of trafficking in fish.

The couple’s defense lawyer said she was unable to attend as she is in China caring for her mother after her father passed away.

He told the court it was uncertain when Ms Liu would be back in the country.

The couple is now due to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on May 1 at 9.45am.